Greek railway organizations’ revamp is about to commence – Here are the details and roadmap

The roadmap for the new structure of the railway system in the country was presented yesterday to the Cabinet by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras. The key element is that a new company, referred to as the “new OSE,” will be named “Railways of Greece,” as reported by ypodomes.com, and it will take over the management and future of the Greek railway system.

The new company will include OSE, absorb ERGOSE, and incorporate part of GAIAOSE (specifically the activity related to the management of railway rolling stock), aiming to enhance safety and restore the railway to better days. The goal is to complete the new structure by the end of 2025, marking a milestone for the Recovery Fund.

The key feature of the new company is that an internationally renowned Reform Consultant will redesign the model for organization, operations, human resource management, and IT support.

The goal is to transform “Railways of Greece” into a modern entity that meets European standards.

At the same time, a tender is being prepared for the recruitment of an internationally renowned Financial Entity in the role of Technical Manager, who will support critical company functions (traffic regulation, infrastructure maintenance, and management of new projects) for a five-year period. This includes the involvement of experienced executives from the Technical Manager in key administrative positions, taking on responsibilities.

Finally, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is undertaking the development of a Strategic and Operational Plan, as well as an Investment Program for the development of railway transport in Greece. This will be done free of charge, with the contract lasting eight months.

Equally important is the aim for continuous constructive collaboration with the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and full adoption of its recommendations, particularly regarding the planning for the installation of ERTMS systems and the establishment of a high level of safety.

With the aim of strengthening the National Investigation Authority (EODASAAM), the draft law promotes enhanced staffing, organizational restructuring, and the safeguarding of its financial autonomy. Recruitment processes and the implementation of training programs are already underway.

A plan of action is also underway by OSE (in collaboration with GAIAOSE and Hellenic Train) regarding the use and implementation of the GSM-R system, both for the existing trackside and onboard systems as well as for new installations. Regarding the existing system, OSE plans to commence operation of GSM-R as the primary radio communication system for the railway network where it is installed by early 2025.

The goals

The goal of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is to develop and promote a shared understanding and culture of safety among all stakeholders in the railway sector and their personnel.

A strategy for internal communication is being developed to foster a culture of safety within OSE and ERGOSE, alongside the promotion of continuous training (tutors and on-the-job training). There will also be passenger awareness campaigns about safety procedures, including the distribution of informational materials.

The six strategic objectives of “Railways of Greece” are:

1. Development of railway transport under conditions of greater safety, through the implementation of relevant European standards and regulations.
2. Achieving full interoperability with the railway system of the European Union.
3. Ensuring high-quality, competitive services for passengers and businesses.
4. Expanding coverage and modernizing technology in the national railway network.
5. Supporting competitiveness and regional development.
6. Protecting the natural environment and promoting sustainable development.

The new entity will have overall responsibility for the planning, development, maintenance, and safe management of the country’s railway infrastructure.

The creation of a unified entity was deemed necessary to address gaps and overlaps in responsibilities, as well as the lack of immediate and effective coordination, particularly in the critical area of safety.

At the same time, economies of scale are achieved, enabling the radical modernization and improvement of the operational framework of the new Infrastructure Manager.

The Infrastructure Manager will be renamed “Railways of Greece S.A.” It will retain its public character as a Single-Member Public Limited Company, with the Greek State as its sole shareholder, under the supervision of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

In this way, the aim is to:

• Full implementation of the new regulatory framework for public limited companies.
• Operation, organizational structure, and IT/technological support of the new company, adopting best practices from comparable European entities.
• Significant enhancement of staffing with specialized personnel trained in the modern operations of a Railway Infrastructure Manager to address existing gaps.
• Implementation of modern management practices and personnel evaluation methods.
• Execution of the critical role and responsibilities of the Infrastructure Manager in safety matters, in continuous systemic collaboration with railway -companies, the Ministry, and the Regulatory Authority for Railways (RAS).
• Implementation of a strategic program of new projects ensuring rapid railway development, prioritizing passenger and freight services.
• Introduction of a management system based on goals and performance indicators to be agreed upon with the Ministry and included in a contract to be signed between them.

For more details and the complete article in Greek, click here